Co-operative Party

The Co-operative Party is a political party in the United Kingdom. It is an electoral alliance with the Labour Party, and the two parties jointly endorse candidates at a number of elections. They were 'formed in 1917 to put co-operators into Parliament. It is the political arm of the British Co-operative Movement, and all its members must also be members of a bona fide Co-operative Society.'

Objectives
The Co-operative Party believes that people will achieve more by working together than they can by working alone. It believes that through increased co-operation, we will achieve a sustainable future for our economy and society as a whole.

It supports efforts to bring about the empowerment of individuals and communities, through co-operative self-help initiatives.

It works to promote co-operative and mutual forms of economic, social and voluntary organisation, which are based on the principles of mutual ownership and democratic control.

The Co-operative Party stands for:


 * Enterprise: a sustainable economy and society
 * Empowerment: a culture of citizenship
 * Accountability: socially responsible business

Staff at Head Office

 * Peter Hunt - national secretary
 * Oliver Fry - policy and media officer
 * Debi Jones - website
 * Mat Ball - parliamentary officer
 * Jenny Nicholson - campaigns coordinator
 * Emma Harrison - office manager
 * Jonathan Blay - party assisant

NEC

 * Gareth Thomas MP - Chair
 * Jeanette Timmins - Vice Chair
 * Roy Mayhew
 * John Kennedy
 * Brenda Foster
 * Dave Pownall
 * Jim Lee
 * Bob Harber
 * Geraint Day
 * Alun Michael MP
 * Len Wardle
 * Adrian Bailey MP
 * George Richardson
 * Dan Crowe
 * Phil Harris
 * Brian Selby
 * James Flinders
 * Linda Gilroy MP

Related Bodies

 * Mutuo, its think tank